Portland Timbers 0-1 Real Salt Lake: RSL breezes into second MLS Cup

By Seth Vertelney

The visitors made themselves at home at JELD-WEN Field, and strolled to a comfortable aggregate win to advance to MLS Cup.

Real Salt Lake produced a fine road performance to eliminate the Portland Timbers, winning 1-0 on the evening and 5-2 on aggregate to advance to MLS Cup.

Robbie Findley's first-half goal took much of the drama out of the affair at JELD-WEN Field, as his goal left the home side needing three goals in a match where RSL played excellent, well-organized defense.

Instead, Jason Kreis's team advanced to its second-ever MLS Cup, where it will travel to face Sporting Kansas City on Dec. 7 at Sporting Park.

Real Salt Lake grabbed a devastating goal a half hour into the match. Luis Gil let fly with a low drive from distance and Donovan Ricketts could only dive and palm the ball into Findley's path and the striker snuck between two defenders to poke home the rebound.

The Timbers' task was made even more difficult when they lost Rodney Wallace and Frederic Piquionne to injury in the first half, taking away two of the team's biggest attacking threats.

Needing three goals to tie, Caleb Porter brought in Ryan Johnson and switched to a 3-4-3 formation in the second half, but RSL's defense proved too difficult on the night, and RSL comfortably saw out the match and clinched the Western Conference title.